For obvious reasons, the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) is widely seen as a unique and exceptional case of postcommunist transformation. As a result of its swift and complete incorporation into the Federal Republic of Germany, it is generally not included in comparative transformation studies. This article proposes a reinterpretation of the East German experience that stresses its character as an experiment in radical social engineering under almost ideal conditions--and as such is of considerable relevance for the general problem of controlled social change. After reviewing East Germany's first 5 years of transformation, the article argues that it is precisely some of its unique and exceptional characteristics that make East Germany into a paradigmatic case of "shock therapy" and holistic reform strategy. The conclusion suggests a number of general implications that can be derived from the East German case thus reinterpreted--concerning knowledge, irreversibility, technocratic power, and democracy.